Best things to train your cat?

Hi

I am confused by what you mean by train your cat. What do you want to train this cat to do? Like what behaviors do you want the cat to do?

As a licensed vet tech I have trained my cat to do what most people call health and safety behaviors, or "medical" behaviors. What I mean by this is behaviors such as this: Sit, Down (lay down), Sit Up (like on your back and put your front paws on me or just imagine a dog jumping up on its owner), and lastly they all know to just stand on all fours.

But one of the most important things I feel I have taught my cats was the term "steady/hold" command. That means give any of the above behaviors and hold it for a up to a few minutes. I think that is the best "trick to train your cat".

Now as far as treats go that just depends on the cat. One of my cats LOVES Whiskas Temptations and that is what she is given each time she does the behavior property. Another cat loves Pounce cat treats. So I feel the best cat treat is one the cat will work for.

As far as toys go some simple ones are paper bags (without handles), boxes and such. Cat toys that are made for cats are varied. Again just like the treats some cats like some toys and not others. Some of my cats like the mice that are small and have fur, some like the large stuffed mice that are made of fabric.

Hope that is somewhat helpful.

I have one cat I've trained to roll over and sketch (drag herself on the rug with her front feet), and she will do this on command. I used Temptations treats that she loves, and will beg for treats by doing her tricks without me asking her!

My other cat can't be motivated by anything. She doesn't like treats!!!

Instead of dangerous twist ties, see if your cat likes Q-Tips. My cat used to go into the bathroom garbage pail to find Q-tips. Then the would jump onto the desk, bed or dresser with the Q-tip in his mouth. Then he would set it down and bat it around with his paws until it fell off the edge of the bed, dresser or desk. Then he would jump off after it and do the same thing again. He would keep this up for quite a while before he would get bored.

He would only do this with Q-tips and nothing else. Go figure.

Try bendy straws, they are a favorite here, and it was someone in TCS who suggested them to me (don't remember who though) Also popular here, the plastic rings that come off juice bottles and milk cartons. And the plastic strip that comes off the frozen juice concentrate can.

Twisty ties, you're right, are not good, but I don't like cotton swabs (such as q tips) either, I would worry about kitty swallowing the cotton.

I don't recommend commercial treats, use high quality kibble instead, better for them.

My cats train me how they want the Games to go, not the other way around. They tell me how they want me to throw something, or drag something, or which toy they want to play with. All I have to do is pay attention, to understand what they are asking. I watch where their eyes look next, I watch body language, I watch which toy gets a more enthusiastic response.

Rotate toys. Put some away and get others out. Then a few weeks later put those away and get the others out. Of course there are usually certain favorites that should always be left out.

The more you pay attention, and the more you understand what she wants you to do, the more she will play.

Purposeful training so she can be easily handled should she need medicating is not so difficult either. Just get into the habit of picking her up and holding her for several moments, a few times a day, so she knows you are going to do this whether she likes it or not, and it is not threatening in any way.

Practice the Holding Position, by kneeling on the floor, cross your feet behind you and hold her between your knees facing out. Hold her like that for a few seconds, maybe rub her mouth a little, then (if you want) give her a treat.

Really you could be using this position daily anyway for brushing her teeth, and regularly, for nail trimming, too.